MANILA: With a projected 10% growth seen in the domestic cold chain industry, three Japanese auto and manufacturing companies combined their engineering expertise  to come up with the Hino 300 ref van. The truck is aimed at providing transport solutions for the cold chain industry.

On a Japanese Hino 300 series light truck will be mounted either a 10 or 11-footer Japanese Cooltech ref van body from Centro Nippon Fruehauf (CFCI). Cooling power will be provided by a Japanese Denso DS2 cooling system, whether the need is for chilled or frozen cargo. 

In a recent Cold Chain Logistics Workshop between the Philippines and Japan, Cold Chain Association of the Philippines President Anthony Dizon showed that the cold chain industry is projected to grow to 550,000 pallet positions this year.

“And we see the need nationwide for ref vans to transport goods from the farm or piers, to the cold storage facilities, then to the processing plants, then back to the cold storage facilities for its last-mile delivery to the retail outlets," Dizon said. 

This makes Hino Motors Philippines (HMP) Vice President for Business Planning Division Hiroki Senoo, excited about this latest product offering resulting from the partnership.

“The Hino 300 will fill the need for a reliable ref van and its durability and uncompromising quality will be backed by Hino’s one-stop solution where servicing of the ref system and body can also be done at any Hino dealership nationwide," Senoo shared. 

For its cooling power, Denso has its highly reliable DS2 ref system which Denso Sales Unit Head Masahiko Tanaka said has been proven to perform efficiently at lower operating cost. 

“It can handle cargo at the temperature desired by the customer whether in chilled or frozen condition. On top of that, it is environmentally friendly based on the materials and refrigerant used," Tanaka explained. 

The Cooltech ref van body uses extruded polystyrene which is a less water-absorptive insulating material. CFCI Production Manager Edd Nieva explained that the production of the insulated sandwich panels and subsequent assembly of ref vans utilizes Japanese technology, process and stringent quality control standards.

Photos from Hino Motors Philippines

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